The second round of the 2021/22 Rwanda premier league began last week with defending champions APR FC maintaining their position at the apex of the league log following a convincing 2-0 win over Gicumbi. Certainly, there were lots of shocks in the first round with the most notable ones among them being Etoile win over AS Kigali, Gorilla drawing with Rayon Sports and of course Mukura Victory ending APR FC’s 50 match unbeaten run. This season’s championship has been intriguing, AS Kigali started the campaign brightly by humiliating another title hopeful Kiyovu Sports FC by four goals to nothing and they were at some point on top of the table. However, APR FC who were honoring their continental games and had a host of outstanding matches crawled back with a series of convincing wins and are now on top of the table. As a matter of fact, there are as many as 14 games left in the second round of the league but the title challenge is now mainly a two horse race between APR FC and Kiyovu Sports. The Green Baggies were awakened from their deep slumber after the 4-0 defeat to AS Kigali earlier on in the season and they have been on fire after that. Burundian striker Abedi Bigirimana has been scoring for fun. He has banged in six goals and has carried the team on his shoulders. To add more power upfront, Kiyovu signed newly capped Amavubi striker Fred Muhozi from Espoir. He is expected to form an impregnable partnership with Bigirimana in the final end of the field as the Green Baggies seeks to annex the title. APR FC on the other hand have been superb this season, they lead the table with 37 points after 16 games and their strongest department has been their midfield where players such as Bosco Ruboneka and Djihad Bizimana have been in a class of their own with some magnificent output. If the Army side are to retain the league title, alot will depend on the two players who have been at their best so far this season. Just above the two top teams who can be deemed as real title hopefuls are the likes of AS Kigali, Rayon Sports, Mukura Victory and AS Police. All these clubs are considered as outsiders but still have a fair chance of winning the title. Among those four teams, Mukura looks to be the more dangerous side having gone unbeaten in their last four games. At the foot of the table, the struggle for survival is between Etincelles, Gicumbi and Gorilla. The former has 21 points whereas the other two are on 18 points each. The most intriguing games will be those between the three bottom clubs as any slip up will be costly. Again, those three clubs could make their home a fortress which is typical of relegation threatened teams and they could as well play a key role in determining who wins the league trophy. There is undoubtedly much to play for in the second round of the league and whoever wins the league will be worthy winners.
